Liquid elevator



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 E. DETAINT ET AL LIQUID ELEVATOR Filed April i2, 1928 July 1, 1930.

y 1930. E. DETAlNTF-T AL LIQUID ELEVATOR Filed April 12. 1926 2 Shuts-Shut 2 i #m m Q.

Patented July 1, 1930 v I UNITED STATES PATENT;

EDMOND DETAINT AND ALFRED SOURBE, OF PARIS, FRANCE LIQUID ELEVATOR Application filed April 12, 1928, Serial No. 269,534, and in France April 20, 1927.

The elevator, according to the invention, nection between the two ends of the cable in consists of a cable, on which are threaded such a manner as to allow a gyratory movewashers made of a plastic material, retainment, which if prevented produces wear or ing between them smaller spacing washers breakage of the cable. According to the inof an elastic material, in order that they may vention the connection may comprise a ball 55 confine with these small washers as many joint,ahooked universal joint, orajoint with transverse annular spaces surrounding the tightening nuts, but any other suitable joint cable as there are pairs of washers. .On the may be used. passage of the elevator through the .liquid In order not to bend the strands which this latter enters these annular spaces in are tightened 0r soldered in the connections 60 which it is held by reason of molecular adheat the two ends of the cable and which run sion until it has been elevated to the required a danger of breakage, fieXion has been elimheight. The rubber washers do not simply inated for a short length by using a suitable rest against the larger washers but they ocjuxtaposition of washers of different diamcupy seatings formed in the material of eters and a fitting which has an external fruswhich the large washers are made. lVhen the tro-conical shape. cable passes around the pulley the large wash- If pulleys with an ordinary grooveare ers are prevented from opening out radially used, the radial unfolding of the large washand forcing the elastic washers towards the ers when passing over the pulley has the disouter periphery. advantage of preventing the free movement 70 The cable which supports the washers of the cable, as the washers bear on the edges forms the subject of improvements tending of the cavity of the pulley and cause a tightto ensure eflicient operation without introening of the cable incompatible with uniform ducing restraint in the movement of its diffiexure. In order to obviate this disadvanferent parts, which restraint leads to wear, tage, the pulley is formedin two parts sepa- 75 which is converted into a deleterious action rated by a space which permits of the pasafi'ecting the stability of the column of liquid sage of liquid, the lateral wall of each half which has been raised. pulley on which the washers bear being suit- Care has been taken to reduce the weight ably beveled according to the distance besupported by that washer which is the last tween the centre of the cable and the line of 80 to emerge from the liquid in which it is imthe points of contact of the washer. mersed. It is this last washer which is at It is an object "of our invention to increase fected most as it has to support the weight the ratio between the quantity of liquid eleof the liquid column and the weight of the vated and the volume of the washers, i. e. pile of washers which precede it. There are to increase the output of the elevator while I therefore provided along the length of the diminishing the amount of materal used and cable, at suitable intervals, enlargements or consequently diminishing thenumberofwashstops which form a number of supporting ers. To accomplish this object, these washers 40 points on which is distributed the weight of are hollowed out on both sides and between the column of liquid and the weight of the the two hollowed-out portions the wall is pro- 90 washers. Known Stops, by reas0n of tig tvided with a central orifice for threading the ening, pinning, and s0 forth, are apt t0 0bwashers on a cable, band or the like, with or StTUCt t free p1 y 0f the Strands nd thus without the interposition of elastic washers rapidly wear the cable. For this reas n he to form joints for ensuring the necessary spacstrands of the cable are spaced apart at ceri g a d fl xibility, r th ll i id d :15 tain points by washers in such a manner as to with means for connecting a washer to the cause a swelling of the cable at these points, adjacent washers, these means being such as the swelling being enclosed by covering washto ensure that the elevator has the necessary ers forming caps. flexibility for the passage of the washers over W Care has also been taken to form the conthe pulleys.

The washers may be suitably strengthened or reinforced by radial, concentric or other ribs or projections, or by reinforcing plates, as required in any particular case, the reinforcing means either forming part of the washers or being mounted on the same.

When the elevator is in operation, the upper or rear hollowed-out portions or basins of the descending washers are filled with liquid upon immersion therein, Whilst their lower or front hollowed-out portions entrap and draw along air. Prior to their ascent, the washers are inverted and the front hollowedout portions become filled with liquid and allow the entrapped air to escape while the rear hollowed-out portions maintain their liquid contents by suction under the influence of the pressure of the atmosphere.

When the ascending washers leave the surface of the liquid, the liquid between the hollowed-out portions of adjacent washers is held in position by surface tension. This liquid runs away from the washers in known manner as they pass over the upper pulley.

The improvements will now be described in detail with reference to an example of construction shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 shows a diagrammatic view of the entire apparatus;

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 show in section, three methods of assembling the supporting washers and the spacing washers;

Fig. 5 shows an elevation of a swelling or stop point formed in the cable, the washers covering the swelling being seen in axial section.

Fig. 6 shows a plan of the same swelling;

Figs. 7 and 8 show sections of the connecting device in any two axial planes at right angles to one another, the ball cages being in elevation.

Fig. 9 shows a rigid element of the cable, formed adjacent the connection.

Fig. 10 shows a modification of the rigid element shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view of the pulley constructed with two separate halves.

Fig. 12 shows a universal connection for rapid attachment.

Figs. 13 to 15 show details.

Fig. 16 shows an axial cross section of one of our improved elevator washers.

Fig. 17 shows in elevation and on a smaller scale part of an elevator provided with these washers, one of which is shown partly in section.

Fig. 18 shows a plan view of a modified form of washer and Fig. 19 shows in elevation part of an elevator, the washers of which are provided with connecting means and two of which are shown partly in section.

The cable 1, composed of strands on which are threaded the supporting washers 3 of large diameter and spacing washers 4 of small diameter, passes around the pulley 2 which may be driven by hand or by suitable mechanical means. The ends of the cable 1 are connected together and the lower portion of the loop thus formed dips freely into the liquid. In the loop may be placed an additional pulley 2 supported by the cable itself. This pulley serves to space the upwardly moving portion of the cable from the downwardly moving portion.

The supporting washers 3, of rigid plastic material, such as ebonite, bakelite, hard rubber, synthetic resin or the like, render the whole unoxidizable and unattackable by the principal agents of deterioration which the liquid may contain. These materials resist corrosion, and also have the advantage of not lending themselves to the formation of electro-chemical couples.

The washers 3 are separated from one an other by interposed spacing washers 4, formed preferably of rubber or any other elastic material and which are in intimate contact with the supporting washers. In the vertical ascending or descending portion of the cable, contact between the washers of two different types and the relative position of these washers are effectively maintained, but this is no longer the case when the group of washers in question passes around the pulley. At this moment the cable bends and rigid washers 3 which bear against the pulley assume a radial position. The spacing of the washers originally equal to s (Fig. 1) is reduced to 8 inside and has increased to s on the outside. It thus results that when passing around the pulley the rubber washers 4 are compressed at s by the rigid washers the planes of which converge towards the centre of the pulley, and are enlarged in the direction passing from the centre of the pulley to the outer periphery. The cable is thus constantly subjected to forces directed from the centre towards the periphery and the rubber washers are consequently subjected to wear owing to friction on the cable. According to the present invention, the diverging movement of the elastic washers 4 is prevented by forming on each of the two faces of the rigid washers 3 an outer annular edge or rib as shown at 6 (Fig. A seating could also be provided adapted to retain the elastic washers 4, by making the rigid washers 3 of greater thickness adjacent their periphery, the annular cavity 7 formed in this manner near the edge of the cable (Fig. 4) being sufiicient to hold the spacing washers 4.

Another feature of the device consists in the swellings which are formed at parts of the cable and the object of which is to form intermediate supports for the weight of portions of the liquid column and of the washers. Formed at sufiiciently close intervals,

the swellings support the washer which emerges from the liquid and which otherwise would have to support the total weight of the ascending portion. The swellings are made by encircling the central strand 8 of the cable by a washer 9 of half keeper or any other suitable shape. This washer which is slit at 13, for placing it in position, grips the central strand 8 and holds the outer strands 1O spaced apart so that they exert a radial pressure thereon. At this point there is provided a supporting washer 3 (Fig. 5) having central hole larger than usual so as to surround the enlargement. Each of these enlargements is encased by the washers 11 and 11 hollowed internally and forming caps. Against the upper and lower walls of the caps 11 and 11 bear the other washers corresponding with the portion situated im mediately above the enlargement. It will, of course, be understood that these enlargements are designed to be used with the washer structures shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 1.

When an apparatus of this type is set in motion, a gyratory movement of the cable is produced. In order to prevent this movement from being converted into torsion or twisting of the cable, it is necessary to form a connection between the two ends of the cable in such a manner that each end will be free to turn independently of the other, and the position which the ends assume, without constraint, will correspond to the absence of any torsion. For this purpose, there may be disposed at the point of junction of the ends a universal joint connection, Fig. 12, permitting rapid hooking together of the parts. This joint is formed of two members, the member 30 having two eye members and the other member 30 having hooks. These members are connected together by a universal joint formed of a cube 28 having two axes 31 and 32 at right angles to one another. The bottom of the members 30 and 30 is hemispherical as at 29 so as to enable the attaching heads 14 to turn and incline in all directions by rolling on balls 15.

It is also possible to provide a connection consisting of tightening nuts and pivots and a turning member such as that shown in Figs. 7 and 8. Each of the free ends 1 and 1 of the cable is secured by a tightening screw or soldered joint 17 in the axial perforations 16 of a cage 1819 and rolls on balls 15. The

part 19 of the ball cage bears against the upper stop 21 of a washer 20 indicated in Fig. 7 and the lower stop 22 of this washer which is at right angles to the upper stop bears against an annular recess 23 formed in the base 25 of the connection. There is thus obtained a pivoting in all directions which is added to the turning movement on the balls. The part indicated by 25 is screw threaded at 26 so as to be screwed into the part 24. The other end of the cable is attached in a similar manner to the ball cage which corresponds therewith. At 27 and 27 are provided nuts for holding together the various parts.

The strands at the ends of the cable being held in the fitting by soldering or tightening, they cannot operate normally except at a predetermined distance from the soldering or tightening. It is therefore necessary to provide a length of cable without fiexion, since flexion near the tightened or soldered points would cause rapid breakage. In order to avoid this drawback the following method is used: A series of washers 3, Fig. 9, is provided, the diameter of which decreases in proportion as the end is approached. These washers are separated from one another by rubber washers 4 of the usual dimensions, the pile thus formed having an external conical contour similar to that shown diagrammatically in Fig. 9. By reason of this arrangement in steps, the apparatus bears on the pulley at this point by the two washers of largest diameter on opposite sides of the connection and by the lateral wall of the connection. In this manner, the enclosed end of the strand is not strained or subjected to fiexion. The same result may be obtained. by keeping the washers of normal diameter and introducing at the connection 30 end washers of a substantially conical shape (Fig. 10).

The radial position which the washers assume in passing around the pulley, also necessitates constructing the pulley in a partlcular manner so as to enable the two outer parts of succeeding washers to be spaced by s which the radial position imposes thereon. For this reason the pulleys 2 are formed of two parts 2 and 2 separated by a space (Fig. 11) and having their driving walls bevelled at an angle on. This angle determines the distance it between the centre of the washer and the chord joining the points of contact m and m of the washer with the pulley and it is advisable to reduce this distance as much as possible. In Fig. 11 there is shown for the sake of clearness a single washer 3, and for the same reason the two halves of the pulley are shown in a diagrammatic manner. It will be readily seen that by reason of this arrangement the lower edges of the washers 3 may approach each other without being constrained. The liquid in the space between the two halves of the pulley falls into a trough which conducts it to its destination.

In the Figs. 16 and 17, each washer has two hollowed-out portions or basins 31, separated by a wall 33 having a central aperture 34 and provided with housings 35, 36 for the elastic joints l which serve to space the washers.

In Fig. 18 the cable is replaced by a band or ribbon 37 and the elastic spacing joints 38 are rectangular. In Fig. 19, the cable 1 is done away with, each washer having a lower hook at 39 and an upper hook at 40 by which hooks it may be connected directly (as shown) or indirectly to the adjacent washers.

We claim:

1. Liquid elevators comprising a cable connected together at its ends, liquid supporting washers freely threaded on the cable, spacing washers of smaller diameter freely threaded on the cable, upper and lower pulleys adapted to carry the cable and enable the liquid to pass from the elevator when the washers are inclined in passing around the upper pulley, enlargements distributed along the cable for supporting the weight of a number of, said washers, and connecting members mounted at the point of junction of the two ends of the cable.

2. Liquid elevators comprising a cable connected together at its ends, supporting washers of non-oXidiZable plastic material freely threaded on the cable, spacing washers of smaller diameter and of an elastic mate rial freely threaded on the cable and adapted to inter-engage with the larger washers, upper and lower pulleys adapted to carry the cable, enlargements distributed along the cable for supporting the weight of a number of said washers, and connecting members mounted at the point of junction of the two ends of the cable.

3. Liquid elevators comprising a cable con nected together at its ends, supporting washers freely threaded on the cable, spacing washers of smaller diameter freely threaded on the cable, upper and lower pulleys adapted to carry the cable, enlargements distributed along the cable forming supports for a number of said washers, said enlargements being in the form of a split washer surrounding the central strand of the cable, said split washer being adapted to spread apart the outer strands of the cable and to be enclosed thereby and connecting members mounted at the point of junction of the two ends of the cable.

4. Liquid elevators comprising a cable connected together at its ends, supporting washers of substantially rigid material freely threaded on the cable, spacing washers of smaller diameter and of elastic material freely threaded on the cable, upper and lower pulleys adapted to carry the cable and swivel connecting members mounted at the point of junction of the two ends of the cable.

5. Liquid elevators comprising a cable connected together at its ends, supporting washers freely threaded on the cable, spacing washers of smaller diameter freely threaded on the cable, pulleys adapted to carry the ca ble, swivel connecting members on the ends of the cable, and conical portions formed on the cable adjacent to the connecting members.

6. Liquid elevators comprising a cable connected together at its ends, supporting washers hollowed out on both sides freely threaded on the cable provided with a central orifice for threading the washers on the cable, spacing washers, and pulleys around which the cable passes.

7. Liquid elevators comprising a cable connected together at its ends, supporting washers hollowed out on both sides freely threaded on the cable, spacing washers freely threaded 011 the cable, pulleys adapted to carry the cable, and swivel connecting members formed at the point of junction of the two ends of the cable.

8. Liquid elevators comprising a cable connected together at its ends, supporting Washers hollowed out on both sides freely threaded on the cable, spacing washers freely threaded on the cable, said supporting washers being provided with means for interengaging the spacing washers, upper and lower pulleys adapted to carry the cable, and swivel connecting members at the point of junction of the two ends of the cable.

9. Liquid elevators comprising a cable connected together at its ends, supporting washers freely threaded on the cable, spacing washers freely threaded on the cable, said supporting washers being hollowed out on both sides and provided with means for inter-engaging with the spacing washers, upper and lower pulleys adapted to carry the cable, enlargements distributed along the cable for supporting the weight of a number of said washers, and swivel connecting members in the form of a universal joint mounted at the point of junction of the two ends of the cable.

10. Liquid elevators comprising a cable connected together at its ends, supporting washers freely threaded on the cable, spacing washers of smaller diameter freely threaded on the cable, upper and lower pul leys adapted to carry the cable and enable the liquid to pass from the elevator whenthe washers are inclined in passing over the upper pulley, enlargements distributed along the cable forming stops for the washers in the form of a split washer surrounding the central strand of the cable adapted to be enclosed by the outer strands and space the same apart and swivel connecting members in the form of a universal joint connection mounted at the point of junction of the ends of the cable.

11. Liquid elevators comprising a cable, supporting washers freely threaded on the cable, pulleys around which the cable passes, enlargements distributed along the cable to support the washers at various points and connections mounted at the point of junction of the two ends. of the cable.

12. Liquid elevators comprising a cable, supporting washers freely threaded on the cable, pulleys around which the cable passes, en-

largements distributed along the cable for supporting the weight of a number of said washers, connections mounted at the point of junction of the two ends of the cable, and 5 conical portions mounted at the end of the gzllbe and formed of washers suitably asseme 13. Liquid elevators comprising a cable, supporting washers freely threaded on the cable, pulleys around which the cable passes, enlargements distributed along the cable for supporting the weight of a number of-said washers, connections mounted at the point of junction of the two ends of the cable, and conical bearing members mounted at the ends of the cable adjacent the connection.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands.

ALFRED SOURBE. EDMOND DETAINT. 

